ABOUT SWEETLEAF

YOUR FLORAL JOURNEY,
THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED

Content Design 08ea2816-5834-4ebb-90c7-87277a9b5983.jpg 5983.jpg Image Replace Edit Link https://www.ashdingess.com/ Edit Copy Remove Link Alternate Filename mara allport, owner and lead designer of sweetleaf floral brand photo

MEET THE FOUNDER

Every Sweetleaf design is a reflection of the love we are celebrating, crafted by owner and lead designer, Mara Allport.

Hi, I’m Mara! Born and raised between Mt. Pleasant with my mom and Edisto with my dad, my husband and our two children now call Hollywood home. It’s the kind of organic beauty only the Lowcountry can provide: verdant marshlands, serene waterways, and radiant sunsets. I’m inspired by this incredible place I call home and honored to serve couples saying ‘yes’ to forever here in the Charleston area.

I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina ‘14 (but somehow married a Clemson ‘14 graduate!) and have an extensive background in Public Health research before picking up flowers as a side hustle back in 2018.

I bring a perceptive eye to each celebration and am passionate for creating impactful floral moments that will be remembered for their thoughtful composition. My personal mission is to give each bloom it’s full potential, so giving out leftover flowers is a pillar of how we operate at Sweetleaf. Whether it’s a mindful arranging class at the senior center or teaching school kids in the days following an event, our team is honored to spread happiness throughout our community.

I will never take for granted how unique of a career it is to provide for my family through floral design. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your celebration and supporting a small, women-owned business!

MEET THE TEAM

A man in a navy suit, white shirt, and patterned tie standing outdoors in a field with trees in the background, smiling at the camera.
A woman sitting in a bright, modern dining area, smiling at the camera. She has long dark hair, is wearing a sleeveless white blouse and dark pants, and has jewelry on her wrist and ear.

FLORAL DESIGNER

ADMIN & FLORAL ASSISTANT

A young woman with blonde hair and sunglasses is holding a cocktail with a watermelon garnish at an outdoor restaurant or bar, with other patrons and umbrellas in the background.
Woman in a floral dress holding a glass, smiling at an outdoor gathering.

HR & EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

FLORAL ASSISTANT

A smiling woman in a white lace wedding dress with styled wavy hair, standing outdoors in a wooded area.
A young boy on the beach smiling with an ocean and sunset in the background.

COURTNEY

FENTON

Close-up of a young girl with blue eyes and light red hair, wearing a pink headband with a bow and a floral dress, outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

SADIE

FLOWER MODEL

DEANNA

NICK

LEAD FLORAL ASSISTANT

MECHANICS & LOGISTICS

A young woman with long wavy brown hair wearing a white embroidered dress with floral details, standing outdoors on a sidewalk near trees, parked cars, and a red truck, smiling at the camera in the evening sunlight.
Young woman smiling with flowers on a sunny day outdoors, wearing a baseball cap and a white t-shirt, standing near a wooden fence with green fields and sky in the background.

MEGAN

ANNIE

SARAH

KIM

STUDIO HELPER

FLORAL ASSISTANT

We’re looking to expand our ever-growing team. If florals are your forte, apply below to join the Sweetleaf Floral family.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Learn More

THE POWER OF FLOWERS

We believe in the chance for our flowers to spread maximum join, so any flowers that are not taken home by our couples enjoy a second life. These special blooms are donated to our local nursing home or enjoyed through a “Fun with Flowers” flower arranging class at senior centers around the Lowcountry. In partnership with the MUSC SC Safe Senior’s program, Sweetleaf has co-hosted nearly 50 classes that blend mindfulness, staying safe as you age, and flower arranging.

OUR REVIEWS

  • Wow wow wow! Mara is an artist and her medium is flowers. She was incredible to work with! She really transformed my ideas into reality when it came to the floral pieces. She enhanced decor that we had created for the wedding with the most perfect floral arrangements. Would recommend to everyone getting married in the Lowcountry!

    Stephanie & Austin | Cannon Green | 10.12.24

  • Mara and her team at Sweetleaf made all of our wedding floral dreams come true! Mara was incredibly professional and communicative, and not to mention a true artist! Every arrangement was stunning - better than we ever could have imagined. I could not recommend Sweetleaf more!

    Cami & Kaleb | William Aiken House | 6.1.25

  • I cannot recommend the Sweetleaf Floral team enough!! Working with Mara was an absolute dream from our first consultation to the big day. I still am getting compliments on the florals at the wedding from guests!! She instantly made me feel like I was chatting with a friend about my wedding vision. She elevated my ideas beyond what I could have ever imagined! Each arrangement felt like it told our love story in the most beautiful way. The day of the wedding, her team was an absolute dream. The arrangements were breathtaking. Working with Sweetleaf was the best decision we made for our wedding day! Thank you Mara for making our day truly unforgettable!

    Bri + Tyler | The Admirals House | 3.30.2025

  • I had the pleasure of working with Mara, the owner and florist of Sweetleaf Floral, for my wedding and rehearsal dinner/welcome party. Mara was an absolute delight to work with. She is incredibly knowledgeable and truly brought my vision to life with her stunning floral arrangements. Mara's expertise and creativity were evident in every detail, and she went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. One of the highlights of working with Mara was her thoughtful coordination and help with donating the florals after the wedding to a not-for-profit organization. This generous act allowed others to experience the joy and beauty of her creations. I highly recommend Sweetleaf Floral and Mara for any event. Her dedication, talent, and kindness made my special day even more memorable.

    Olivia & Tom | Lowndes Grove | 2.8.25

  • I cannot talk highly enough of Sweetleaf Floral! I was from out of town and had to do all contact over email & phone and they were able to caption my vision perfectly. My floral bouquet was stunning & the perfect touch to complete my wedding day look! If you want a stress-free and beautiful wedding! Sweetleaf Floral is the perfect vendor!

    Emily & Parker | Charleston Marina | 5.31.2022

  • We hired Sweetleaf Floral for our wedding, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out! From our first consultation, they were attentive, creative, and truly understood our vision. They took the time to listen to our ideas and offered great suggestions that made the arrangements even more beautiful than we could have imagined. On the day of the wedding, the flowers were absolutely stunning. The bouquets, centerpieces, and floral accents were all vibrant, fresh, and arranged with so much care. Every detail was perfect. We received so many compliments from our guests! What really stood out was their professionalism and reliability. They delivered everything on time and set everything up and broke everything down flawlessly, which made our day so much less stressful. The entire process was smooth and stress-free, thanks to their incredible team. We highly recommend Sweetleaf Floral! They truly helped make our wedding day beautiful and unforgettable.

    DeAnna & Daniel | Folly Beach | 9.14.24

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